NRSC
GUIDELINE
NATIONAL
RADIO
SYSTEMS
COMMITTEE
NRSC-G101
AM Modulation-Dependent Carrier
Level (MDCL) Usage Guideline
April 2013
NAB: 1771 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 429-5356 Fax: (202) 775-4981
CEA: 1919 South Eads Street
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel: (703) 907-7660 Fax: (703) 907-8113
Co-sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters
http://www.nrscstandards.org
NRSC-G101
NOTICE
NRSC Standards, Guidelines, Reports and other technical publications are designed to serve the public
interest through eliminating misunderstandings between manufacturers and purchasers, facilitating
interchangeability and improvement of products, and assisting the purchaser in selecting and obtaining
with minimum delay the proper product for his particular need. Existence of such Standards, Guidelines,
Reports and other technical publications shall not in any respect preclude any member or nonmember of
the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) or the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) from
manufacturing or selling products not conforming to such Standards, Guidelines, Reports and other
technical publications, nor shall the existence of such Standards, Guidelines, Reports and other technical
publications preclude their voluntary use by those other than CEA or NAB members, whether to be used
either domestically or internationally.
Standards, Guidelines, Reports and other technical publications are adopted by the NRSC in accordance
with the NRSC patent policy. By such action, CEA and NAB do not assume any liability to any patent
owner, nor do they assume any obligation whatever to parties adopting the Standard, Guideline, Report
or other technical publication.
This Guideline does not purport to address all safety problems associated with its use or all applicable
regulatory requirements. It is the responsibility of the user of this Guideline to establish appropriate safety
and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations before its use.
Published by
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION
Technology & Standards Department
1919 S. Eads St.
Arlington, VA 22202
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS
Technology Department
1771 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
©2013 CEA & NAB. All rights reserved.
This document is available free of charge via the NRSC website at
www.nrscstandards.org. Republication or further distribution of this
document, in whole or in part, requires prior permission of CEA or NAB.
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NRSC-G101
FOREWORD
Modulation-dependent carrier level (MDCL) technology offers a way for AM broadcasters to reduce their
electrical power consumption with a minimum of impact on the quality of the audio signal received by
listeners. In September, 2011 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) greatly simplified the
procedures for broadcasters in the U.S. to take advantage of this technology and as a result, U.S.
broadcasters are more likely to embrace MDCL techniques. The purpose of this NRSC Guideline is to
provide useful information to broadcasters that will assist them in the use of MDCL technology.
The information contained in this NRSC Guideline was compiled and reviewed by the MDCL Working
Group, chaired by Tim Hardy, Nautel, a sub-group of the AFAB Subcommittee of the NRSC, co-chaired
by Stan Salek, Hammett & Edison, Inc., and Gary Kline, Cumulus Broadcasting. The NRSC chairman at
the time of adoption of NRSC-G101 was Milford Smith, Greater Media, Inc.
The NRSC is jointly sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of
Broadcasters. It serves as an industry-wide standards-setting body for technical aspects of terrestrial
over-the-air radio broadcasting systems in the United States.
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CONTENTS
1
SCOPE ..................................................................................................................................................................5
2
REFERENCES .....................................................................................................................................................5
2.1
Normative References ........................................................................................................... 5
2.2
Informative References ......................................................................................................... 5
2.3
Symbols and Abbreviations .................................................................................................. 6
2.4
Definitions ............................................................................................................................... 7
3
BACKGROUND....................................................................................................................................................8
3.1
The Purpose of MDCL Systems ............................................................................................ 8
3.2
The History of MDCL Systems .............................................................................................. 8
3.3
MDCL Systems Commonly in Use ........................................................................................ 9
3.4
Recent Developments in the United States ......................................................................... 9
3.5
The FCC Experimental Authorization and Waiver Process ............................................. 10
3.6
Receiver Topics Overview ................................................................................................... 10
4
DESCRIPTION OF ALGORITHMS ..................................................................................................................12
4.1
Amplitude Modulation Companding (AMC) ....................................................................... 12
4.2
Dynamic Carrier Systems (DCS) ......................................................................................... 13
4.2.1 Dynamic Carrier System Example 1 ............................................................................ 13
4.2.2 Dynamic Carrier Example 2 .......................................................................................... 14
4.2.3 Power Savings Comparison ......................................................................................... 15
5
IBOC COMPATIBILITY .....................................................................................................................................16
5.1
Definition of how IBOC and MDCL are used together ...................................................... 16
5.2
Transmitter linearity ............................................................................................................. 16
6
FUTURE WORK .................................................................................................................................................18
FIGURES
Figure 1. Amplitude Modulation Companding (AMC) compression function. .............................. 12
Figure 2. DCS example 1 – carrier compression function ............................................................... 14
Figure 3. DCS example 2 – carrier compression function ............................................................... 14
TABLE
Table 1. Energy savings performance ............................................................................................... 15
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AM MODULATION-DEPENDENT CARRIER LEVEL (MDCL) USAGE GUIDELINE
1
SCOPE
This is an informative Guideline document which provides information on modulation-dependent carrier
level (MDCL) technologies available for use by AM broadcasters as a means to reduce electrical power
consumption of their facilities and, when used carefully, will have little or no impact on the audio quality of
their AM transmission.
2
2.1
REFERENCES
Normative References
This is an informative specification. There are no normative references.
2.2
Informative References
The following references contain information that may be useful to those implementing this Guideline
document. At the time of publication the edition(s) or version(s) indicated were valid. All standards are
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standards listed below.
[1]
MDCL Operation is a Winner for High-Power AM, W.C. Alexander, Radio World, April 18, 2012
[2]
Implementation of Amplitude Modulation Companding in the BBC MF National Networks, C.P. Bell
and W. F. Williams, IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting, Vol. 35, No. 2, June 1989
[3]
Amplitude Modulation Radio Broadcasting: Application of companding techniques to the radiated
signal, W. I. Manson, BBC Research Department, BBC RD 1985/13, November 1985
[4]
Implementation of Amplitude Modulation Companding in the BBC MF National Networks, C. P. Bell
et. al., BBC Engineering Division Report, BBC RD 1988/15, December 1988
[5]
An Introduction to Variable Carrier Power Systems and a Comparison of Benefits, J. Fred Riley,
Continental Electronics Corporation, May 16, 2011
[6]
Millions Saved with MDCL, Daniel Maxwell, Radio World Engineering Extra, April 18, 2012, pp. 110
[7]
Engineering Statement – Request for Special Temporary Authority or Experimental Operation,
Kotzebue Broadcasting, Inc., KOTZ (AM), Kotzebue, Alaska, Hatfield & Dawson, May 25, 2010
[8]
Media Bureau to Permit Use of Energy-saving Transmitter Technology by AM Stations, FCC Public
Notice, DA 11-1535, September 13, 2011 (available online at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1535A1.pdf)
[9]
Application of Modulation Dependent Carrier Level (“MDCL”) Control Technologies to Amplitude
Modulation Transmission Systems, Terry L. Cockerill, 2012 NAB BEC Proceedings
[10]
Energy Savings with MDCL, Daniel Maxwell, 2012 NAB BEC Proceedings
[11]
Saving Power with AM IBOC Using Modulation-Dependent Carrier Level Control, Brian W. Walker,
2012 NAB Proceedings
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[12]
Riley Criticizes Use of AMC, Radio World, February 3, 2012
[13]
FCC Public Notice: Media Bureau to Permit Use of Energy-Saving Transmitter Technology by AM
Stations, Federal Communications Commission, September 13, 2011
[14]
ACC+ Adaptive Carrier Control Technical Manual, Harris, August 2009
[15]
Die Technik der Amplituden-Modulatoren, Prof. Dr.—Ing. Dietmar Rudolph, December 15, 2009
[16]
Electric State Profiles Map DOE/EIA-0348(01)/2, U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2009
[17]
Dynamic Carrier Control PWB, NAPX05E/02: Installation and Operating Instructions, January 3,
2007
Dynamic Carrier Control Unit, NAX154/NAPX05, May 15, 2003
[18]
[19]
Comparison of CCM Techniques, J.Fred Riley, Continental Electronics Corporation, IEEE
Broadcast Symposium, September 22-23, 1994
[20]
Dynamic Carrier Control, DCC, a Valuable Method to Save Input Power of Medium Wave
Transmitters, Dr. Wolfram Schminke and Hans-Ulrich Boksberger, IEEE Transactions on
Broadcasting, Vol. 35, No. 2, June 1989
[21]
Implementation of Amplitude Modulation Companding in the BBC MF National Networks, C. P. Bell
et. al., BBC Engineering Division Report, BBC RD 1988/15, December 1988
[22]
Energy Saving for AM Transmitters, James Wood, International Broadcasting, October 1987
[23]
Radio Engineers’ Handbook, Frederick Emmons Terman, McGraw-Hill Book Company: New York,
1943
[24]
Phone Transmission with Voice-Controlled Carrier Power, G.W. Fyler, QST January 1935
[25]
Megawatt Misers, James Wood, International Broadcasting magazine (date unknown)
[26]
Adaptive Carrier Control for DX Transmitters, Harris
2.3
Symbols and Abbreviations
In this Guideline the following abbreviations are used.
AM
ACC
AGC
AMC
DAM
DCC
DCS
DSB
MDCL
MDCLWG
NRSC
FCC
IBOC
Amplitude Modulation
Adaptive Carrier Control
Automatic Gain Control
Amplitude Modulation Companding
Dynamic Amplitude Modulation
Dynamic Carrier Control
Dynamic Carrier Systems
Double-sideband
Modulation-dependent Carrier Level
Modulation Dependent Carrier Level Working Group (of the NRSC AFAB Subcommittee)
National Radio Systems Committee
Federal Communications Commission (U.S.)
In-Band/On-Channel
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N/A
RF
TBD
2.4
Not Applicable
Radio Frequency
To Be Determined
Definitions
In this Guideline the following definitions are used:
Amplitude Modulation Companding (AMC)
An MDCL system which operates with full carrier for no or low modulation
and reduces both carrier and sidebands with increasing modulation.
Typically the maximum carrier and sideband compression is adjustable
between 0 and 6 dB.
Adaptive Carrier Control (ACC)
An MDCL system which operates with reduced carrier for no or low
modulation and increases it with modulation. The exact characteristic
may be widely adjustable.
Dynamic Amplitude Modulation (DAM)
An MDCL system similar to ACC. DAM originated in Germany in the
1980s.
Dynamic Carrier Control (DCC)
An MDCL system similar to ACC. DCC originated in Switzerland in the
1980s.
Dynamic Carrier Systems (DCS)
A general category of MDCL system characterized by operation with
reduced carrier for no or low modulation and increasing carrier with
modulation. Dynamic Carrier Systems include Adaptive Carrier Control,
Dynamic Amplitude Modulation and Dynamic Carrier Control.
HD Radio™
Trademark (of iBiquity Digital Corporation) for the digital AM and digital
FM transmission technology authorized by the FCC. Note that the use of
the term in NRSC documents shall be interpreted as the generic term
“IBOC” and shall not be construed as a requirement to adhere to
undisclosed private specifications that are required to license the HD
Radio name from its owner.
Modulation-Dependent Carrier Level (MDCL)
A system for reducing the electrical energy consumption of AM
transmitters whereby either the carrier or carrier and sidebands are
dynamically reduced as a function of the modulation index.
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3
3.1
BACKGROUND
The Purpose of MDCL Systems
The current method of transmitting analog audio information in the medium wave broadcast band in the
U.S., as well as the rest of ITU Region 2, is double-sideband amplitude modulation (DSB-AM). For this
modulation technique, as the amplitude of the radio frequency (RF) signal is varied in accordance with the
modulating signal, the RF carrier level remains constant while the sidebands vary in amplitude and
frequency. The total power of the signal at 100 % positive and negative modulation is 50 % greater than
that of the carrier. This scheme has been useful for many years because the presence of the constantamplitude carrier allows for the use of relatively simple and inexpensive, generally diode-based, detectors
in the receiver. Since modern receivers work fine with no carrier present, the carrier itself is not as critical
a component of the signal as it once was, and consequently it makes sense to reduce the carrier
component since a substantial portion of the energy of the transmission is contained in the carrier.
If the carrier amplitude as well as sideband amplitude are varied in accordance with the modulating
signal, it is possible to provide approximately equivalent transmission service while reducing the total
energy of the transmitting process. Such systems are considered “Modulation Dependent Carrier Level”
1
systems, or MDCL systems.
There are two basic types of MDCL operation. The first reduces the carrier and sidebands to an arbitrary
percentage of the nominal power level, and increases the carrier and sidebands with increased
modulating signal level up to the nominal power level. The second only modifies the carrier level, using
full carrier transmission at low modulation indices, while reducing carrier with increasing modulation level
to the point where the total signal amplitude is the same as that of “full carrier.”
Each of these two methods provides benefits, in particular reduced power consumption, and are detailed
below. Each has some drawbacks, which are also described below, as well as in some detail in the
2
references listed in Section 2.2.
3.2
The History of MDCL Systems
During the same period
were developed, early
3
amplitude took place.
German journal Physik,
were conducted.
when high-quality, relatively efficient amplitude modulated transmission systems
recognition of the benefits of some control of carrier by modulating signal
The first known published description of such a system was in 1934, in the
by Pungs and Gerth. It is not known if tests of the proposal, named HAPUG,
The first reported tests were undertaken by the General Electric Co. at their 50 kW medium wave
broadcast station, WGY, Schenectady, New York. These were reported without detail in an article in QST
in January, 1935. The QST article’s purpose was to describe a prototype method for obtaining controlled
carrier with class B plate modulation. This was also reported briefly in Terman’s classic Radio Engineer’s
Handbook.
The introduction of modern switched-carrier techniques for generating an AM modulated signal, together
with the introduction of solid state high power amplification techniques in the early 1980s, led to
reexamination of the possibility of use of modulation-controlled carrier methods. By 1985, modulationcontrolled carrier systems were in use in several MF broadcasting stations in continental Europe and the
1
The term MDCL was first suggested as a non-proprietary general description of the various methods by J.F. Riley of
Continental Electronics at an IEEE BTS Symposium in 1994.
2
In particular, [19] and [22] discuss the pros and cons of various MDCL systems.
3
The transformer coupled high level plate modulated class C amplifier, the Doherty load-pulling amplifier, and the
Chireix phase-to-amplitude system were all developed in the middle 1930's, and first provided high quality high
fidelity high power AM transmission capabilities.
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U.K. By the end of the decade, a flurry of publications reported the success of these systems in
substantially reducing electrical power consumption costs. The applications tried in continental Europe
used various versions of a system called “DAM” (see Section 4.2), operating with reduced carrier for no or
low modulation and increasing carrier with increasing modulation depth. The U.K. implementations used
a different system, “AMC” (see Section 4.1), in which full carrier is employed with no or low modulation
and carrier is reduced with increasing modulation depth. This system was used by BBC on conventional
4
Doherty linear amplifier transmitters as well as those employing switched modulation methods.
Over the past two decades, the use of these systems by HF broadcasters has been widespread. Use of
these systems by MF broadcasters has also taken place, particularly at high power installations in Europe
and the Middle East where the power savings proved very attractive. By the late 1990s, MDCL
techniques were essentially standard operating practice at many if not most HF transmitting stations.
Within the past 10 years or so, most if not all major transmitter manufacturers have made the equipment
necessary for MDCL operation available as an option and, in some cases, standard equipment with high
power transmitters.
3.3
MDCL Systems Commonly in Use
Most manufacturers of modern solid state AM transmitters include optional or standard features that
support MDCL operation. Additionally, upgrades for installed transmitters are also available. Harris
supports both AMC and ACC for DX, 3DX and DAX series transmitters. Nautel NX series transmitters
support MDCL as a standard feature including AMC and Dynamic Carrier Systems. Nautel also
manufactures an external Dynamic Carrier Control unit for installation with earlier models. European
manufacturers including Transradio and Ampegon offer support for a range of modes including AMC,
DAM and DCC. Many transmitters not designed with a “built-in” MDCL capability but capable of being
DC-coupled on the analog audio input would likely be able to support MDCL operation, by using an
external MDCL adapter (made by various manufacturers).
3.4
Recent Developments in the United States
The U.S. government’s international broadcasting agency, the Broadcast Board of Governors, which
operates several high power HF and MF transmitting stations, began using various versions of MDCL
systems when they became generally available in the 1980s and 1990s. By 2010 the agency had
conducted studies of the relative merits of the systems, and had determined that the BBC type, AMC,
provided the most benefits. The system was implemented at 19 of their transmitters, and resulted in very
significant reductions in power use. [6]
At approximately the same time, Alaska Public Broadcasting, which provides technical services to public
broadcasting stations throughout Alaska, became aware that costs of electrical power, supplied by diesel
generators in many cases, were escalating rapidly, particularly in the remote areas of the state. FCC
staff, when questioned, indicated that experimental or special temporary authority for MDCL operation
would be obtainable. The Alaska agency decided to pursue the possibility of using MDCL methods to
reduce these costs, and budget for the necessary tests became available in early 2010. The initial
request, for KOTZ in very remote Kotzebue, was filed June 18, 2010, and granted by FCC on June 24th.
[7] These tests, and subsequent tests by KDLG, Dillingham later that year, were so successful that a
general request for experimental authority for all Alaska public broadcasting AM stations was filed with
the FCC in March, 2011.
4
The two publications which provide the most succinct descriptions of these two systems are both contained in Vol.
35, No. 2, the June ,1989 IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting. They are: Bell & Williams, “Implementation of
Amplitude Modulation Companding in the BBC MF National Networks,” and Schminke & Boksberger, “Dynamic
Carrier Control, DCC, A Valuable Method to Save Input Power of MF Transmitters.”
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3.5
The FCC Experimental Authorization and Waiver Process
Although historically the FCC has required AM stations to operate with 5 % or less (at 100 % modulation)
“carrier shift,” i.e., reduction (or increase) in carrier amplitude, this rule was eliminated sometime in the
5
1980s. Subsequently, the principal FCC rule requiring waiver in order to operate with any of the MDCL
methods was 47 CFR §73.1560(a), the rule requiring AM broadcasting stations to maintain operating
power within +5/-10 % of authorized power.
Following the successful test conducted by Alaska public broadcasting stations and the March 2011
general Alaska waiver request, the Commission staff determined that a general waiver for any AM station
desiring to implement MDCL was desirable. The official announcement of this policy was made on
September 13, 2011. [8] The Public Notice contains a succinct explanation of the MDCL methods, refers
to recent transmitter manufacturer technical data, points out that the National Radio Systems Committee
(NRSC) has undertaken to study compatibility of MDCL with hybrid AM in-band/on-channel (IBOC) digital
radio, and contains a caveat requiring operation with full carrier when field intensity measurements are
being conducted.
The FCC also requires that the transmitter achieve full licensed power at some audio input level, or when
the MDCL is temporarily disabled. This requirement will permit stations to use energy-saving MDCL
technologies, which preserve licensed coverage areas, while distinguishing between such operations and
simple reductions in transmitter power, which do not preserve the licensed coverage area. The FCC will
permit AM stations broadcasting in hybrid AM IBOC mode to implement energy-saving MDCL technology
provided the hybrid signal continues to comply with spectral emissions mask requirements in Section
73.44, and also provided that the relative level of the analog signal to the digital signal remains constant.
It also provides specific instructions for submitting an MDCL waiver request.
Subsequent to the issuance of the Public Notice, a modest number of AM broadcasting stations have
implemented MDCL operation. To date, all public reports from these users of MDCL have been
favorable, and have noted significant electrical power savings.
3.6
Receiver Topics Overview
When the FCC initially announced that it would permit AM stations to use MDCL technologies, the initial
Public Notice [8] expressed some concern about the following possible issues:
●
●
●
Audio distortion
Reduced receiver SNR
Reduced coverage area
However, the Public Notice indicates that these effects are ”generally imperceptible.“ Various MDCL
technologies have been in use in Europe for years, and as a result there is some experience base for
receiver compatibility. This experience shows that MDCL generally is acceptable or unnoticeable to the
consumer. Note, however, that the European experience base generally applies only to analog AM
transmission, not hybrid AM IBOC transmission. Compatibility of MDCL with hybrid AM IBOC
transmissions has not yet be rigorously tested. Despite this, some points can be made about MDCL, AM
analog reception and hybrid AM IBOC reception:
●
5
In all AM systems, any change in carrier power is tracked by the receiver’s AGC. If the MDCL
system’s rate of carrier power change is significantly slower than the AM modulation, the MDCL
variations will not fall in-band to the audio AM modulation;
Within the jurisdictions of other administrations (outside of the U.S.), carrier shift rules may still be in effect.
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●
Carrier power modulation is not necessarily symmetric on the attack and decay. In this context,
”attack“ refers to the rise of carrier power; ”decay“ refers to the drop in carrier power as part of the
MDCL algorithm;
●
At least one MDCL algorithm has a fast attack time (goes high quickly) and a relatively slow decay
time (goes low more slowly);
●
For IBOC reception, different algorithms have different behavior, depending on whether the IBOC
subcarriers are power-modulated along with the analog carrier.
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4
DESCRIPTION OF ALGORITHMS
MDCL algorithms can be classified into two categories. The first category consists of a single system,
Amplitude Modulation Companding (AMC), for which both the carrier level and the sideband level are
dynamically reduced together. For the second category, Dynamic Carrier Systems (DCS), only the
carrier is dynamically reduced and the sideband power remains constant at the normal AM level. A
number of systems fall into this category.
The performance of MDCL algorithms depends strongly on the audio source material and the audio
processing. In some cases where the audio has been processed to increase the loudness levels
significantly, high positive peak modulation levels may occur very regularly, i.e., many times per second.
Under these conditions the MDCL algorithm may saturate (due to the fast attach - slow decay modulation
detector) and the carrier power will reach a relatively static state near the 100% modulation point on the
carrier compression function. For the AMC mode this behavior may be very similar to AM with reduced
carrier power and for DCS modes, this behavior may be very similar to AM at full carrier power.
4.1
Amplitude Modulation Companding (AMC)
The AMC system reduce the level of the carrier and sideband together as the instantaneous audio level is
increased. The degree of signal compression can vary typically from 6 dB to 1 dB with 3 dB used
commonly. The exact compression functions are shown in Figure 1 for 1, 3 and 6 dB compression levels.
Amplitude Modulation Companding - Compression Function
Carrier and Modulation Compression Level (%)
110
100
90
-1 dB
80
-3 dB
70
60
-6 dB
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Modulation (%)
Figure 1. Amplitude Modulation Companding (AMC) compression function.
The compression characteristic is defined as follows: from 0 to 10 % modulation there is no compression
(0 dB); from 10 % to 100 % modulation the compression increases linearly to full compression at 100 %
modulation; from 100 % modulation to maximum peak modulation, the compression is maintained at the
full level. It is important to note that the compression levels shown in Figure 1 are in voltage units and the
values should be squared to determine power levels. For example, the -3 dB AMC characteristic reduces
the signal to 71 % (voltage or current) at 100 % modulation and above, which is equivalent to a 50 %
power reduction.
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Other general characteristics of AMC include the following:
6
●
Time domain behavior: the implementation requires that different time constants are used for the
attack and decay of the detected audio/modulation level;
●
Attack time: the detected modulation level is increased with a fast attack time of approximately 1 ms.
The filter used to implement the fast attack time is normally a simple exponential filter; however, it
may be beneficial to use a finite impulse response filter that will settle more quickly for the decay
implementation. A low overshoot implementation such as a Gaussian filter is recommended;
●
Decay time: the detected modulation level is decreased with a slow attack time of approximately 250
ms;
●
A key performance aspect of AMC systems is that there is no change in the perceived loudness of the
signal. This is a consequence of the carrier and sideband levels tracking, unlike the systems which
fall into the second category (DCS) where only the carrier level is being modified.
4.2
Dynamic Carrier Systems (DCS)
Generally, all systems other than AMC including Adaptive Carrier Control (ACC), Dynamic Amplitude
Modulation (DAM), and Dynamic Carrier Control (DCC) fall into the DCS category. These systems
reduce the carrier power dynamically but leave the transmitted sideband power unaffected, and they
reduce the carrier power at low modulation levels and return the carrier to full power as modulation is
increased. In general, the carrier level should never be reduced to the point where there is insufficient
carrier to support negative modulation without clipping and distortion. These systems save more energy
in quiet periods, as opposed to AMC which saves more energy during loud periods.
A characteristic that all systems in the DCS category share is the effect on received signal intensity which
will likely impact loudness perception. In the receiver, the AGC will keep the carrier level constant. When
the carrier is reduced at the transmitter, the gain at the receiver is increased causing a corresponding
increase in loudness. AMC systems do not exhibit this behavior because the sidebands and carrier are
always reduced together.
For DCS, time domain behavior typically has a fast attack time of 1 ms and a slow decay time of
approximately 250 ms. While there are several different system names employed by manufacturers, the
operation of these systems are very similar to one another with the primary differences being in the carrier
compression functions. Two example systems are shown in Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 below.
4.2.1
Dynamic Carrier System Example 1
In this example, the maximum carrier compression is 4 dB, between 0 and 60 % modulation (see Figure
2). Above 60 %, the carrier voltage is increased linearly to 100 % at 95 % modulation. The carrier
compression between 60 % and 95 % is very close to the maximum possible compression. For example,
at 70 % modulation, the carrier is compressed to approximately to 74 % with 70 % being the limit. The
actual modulation depth realized at this point on the curve will be very close to 100 % (the modulation
depth is increased as the carrier is reduced). Below 60 % modulation, the carrier compression of 4 dB is
relatively large. Overall, this example system has relatively aggressive compression characteristic
resulting in relatively greater power savings.
6
Note that there may be some differences between implementations currently in use.
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Dynamic Carrier System Example 1 - Carrier Compression Function
110
100
90
Carrier Level (%)
80
70
- 4 dB
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Modulation (%)
Figure 2. DCS example 1 – carrier compression function
4.2.2
Dynamic Carrier Example 2
The carrier compression characteristic of the second example system is shown in Figure 3. This system
has a maximum compression of 4.44 dB between 20 % and 40 % modulation. Below 20 % modulation,
the carrier compression is reduced, with the carrier level at 80 % of its normal value during silent periods
with no modulation. The reason for this increase in carrier level during quiet periods is that background
noise is most perceptible when the program audio is quiet. To mitigate the increase in noise, the carrier
is increased slightly. Between 40 % and 80 % modulation, the carrier is linearly increased to 100 % of its
nominal value. Above 80 % modulation, the carrier remains at 100 %.
Dyamic Carrier System Example 2 - Carrier Compression Function
110
100
90
Carrier Level (%)
80
70
60
-4.44 dB
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Modulation (%)
Figure 3. DCS example 2 – carrier compression function
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4.2.3
Power Savings Comparison
Energy savings will vary between MDCL systems and will also be affected by the audio program material
and audio processing. Table 1 shows energy savings predictions for several different audio samples.
The performance of 3 dB AMC and the two examples of Dynamic Carrier Systems were compared to
standard AM. Note that these examples all use talk format audio material and that the results for music
format audio material would be different.
Table 1. Energy savings performance
Sample 1 - VOA Greenville English
MDCL Version
Average Signal Power
AM
100%
AMC 3dB
63.5%
DCS Example 1
84.2%
DCS Example 2
76.7%
Sample 3 - VOA Greenville Spanish
MDCL Version
Average Signal Power
AM
100%
AMC 3dB
60.1%
DCS Example 1
91.0%
DCS Example 2
79.7%
Sample 2 - VOA Greenville Portuguese
MDCL Version
Average Signal Power
AM
100%
AMC 3dB
60.1%
DCS Example 1
88.7%
DCS Example 2
81.5%
Sample 4 - Clear Channel WSYR Talk Format
MDCL Version
Average Signal Power
AM
100%
AMC 3dB
58.6%
DCS Example 1
89.2%
DCS Example 2
81.2%
A computer simulation was used to estimate the system performance indicators shown in Table 1. Audio
source files, recorded after audio processing, were processed using a computer model of each algorithm
and the average power levels of the modified signals were measured. The average signal power shown
in Table 1 is referenced to normal AM operation as 100%. If the Average Signal Power in Table 1 is 60%,
a 40% reduction in electrical power consumption should be expected. While the performance of
individual transmitters may vary from these estimates, it is expected that the results shown in the table
are a good indication of the expected electrical energy savings of modern transmitters assuming the
compression levels simulated. Note that more aggressive use of MDCL (i.e., higher levels of
compression) may not result in commensurate power savings due to efficiency limitations of the
transmitter.
All transmitters will have a reduction in AC to RF power efficiency as output power is reduced. For older
transmitters, such as those using tube amplifiers, the low power reduction in efficiency will be more
substantial than modern transmitters. For transmitters where low power efficiency is reduced more
substantially, the AC power savings performance will deviate to a larger extent from the predictions in
Table 1.
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5
5.1
IBOC COMPATIBILITY
Definition of how IBOC and MDCL are used together
There are two ways in which an MDCL system may be implemented for hybrid AM IBOC. In the first way,
the MDCL compression has no effect on the IBOC subcarriers. In the second way, the IBOC subcarriers
are reduced in power together with the AM carrier. The relative advantages or disadvantages of having
the IBOC carrier insertion level track the analog carrier level need to be further investigated, but it
assumed that:
●
If the IBOC carriers are reduced with the AM carrier, then a small additional power savings may be
realized at the expense of a small reduction in IBOC coverage;
●
If the IBOC carriers are not reduced with the AM carrier, then a small amount of additional digital
IBOC interference into the analog host modulation may be expected.
Different commercially-available implementations of hybrid AM IBOC / MDCL may or may not support one
or the other of these approaches. The FCC’s September 2011 Public Notice [8] will permit AM stations
broadcasting in hybrid AM IBOC mode to implement energy-saving MDCL technology provided the hybrid
signal continues to comply with spectral emissions mask requirements in Section 73.44, and also
provided that the relative level of the analog signal to the digital signal remains constant.
5.2
Transmitter linearity
Modern AM solid state transmitters use two or more different methods to produce amplitude modulation.
In all cases, the approach requires that the desired RF signal be separated into an audio frequency (<100
kHz) envelope and an RF frequency carrier with phase information. These two separate signals are
amplified using different processes before being recombined in the RF amplifier to produce the desired
RF signal. This method of amplification, Envelope Elimination and Restoration (EER), is used to improve
transmitter efficiency. As a result of using the EER method, modern AM transmitter efficiencies are
generally on the order of 80–90 %.
However, EER has tradeoffs which include non-linear effects that generally cause some increase in outof-band emissions. These non-linear effects are typically made worse when antenna systems deviate
significantly from ideal impedance levels. Depending on the individual transmitter and antenna system,
some broadcasters may have challenges meeting the regulated emissions mask.
A key element of MDCL is that the carrier level is reduced and for the Dynamic Carrier Systems (DAM,
DCC, and ACC), the modulation depth can be significantly increased. For modern AM transmitters using
EER, the changes in modulation depth and reduction in carrier levels can have negative effects:
●
Reducing absolute signal level will force the transmitter to spend more time operating at low levels;
●
Because AM/AM and AM/PM transmitter nonlinearities generally increase as power decreases, the
intermodulation levels and out of band emissions will generally increase;
●
When the AM component of the signal is decreased, the bandwidth of the RF phase and envelope
signals is generally increased;
●
Because the amplification processes for RF phase and envelope have bandwidth limits, increasing
signal bandwidths may result in an increase in intermodulation and out of band emissions.
Considering the effect that MDCL has on the signal, as well as the practical limitations of transmitter
technology, caution is advised when implementing hybrid AM IBOC with MDCL. In particular, some
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increase in out-of-band emissions should be expected. For the same reasons outlined above, some
reduction of IBOC signal quality may also be expected.
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6
FUTURE WORK
The NRSC is interested in expanding this Guideline in the future to include information on the following
topics:
●
●
●
●
Field test results and case studies of MDCL deployment;
Interaction of MDCL technologies with the Arbitron Portable People Meter (PPM) audience
measurement system;
Recommended use – recommendations regarding the setup and operation of specific
implementations of MDCL systems;
Compatibility with AM IBOC.
Readers who are interested in contributing to these future sections can contact the NRSC at
[email protected].
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NRSC-G101
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